Philosophy of MinistryAt Smoky Row, ministry is tightly tied to the particular core values that we believe God has called us to.

These commitments help make Smoky Row the church that we are, and we’ve been striving to build our church life around them as we organize ourselves for ministry, steward our resources, and live out our congregational calling.

I’m new here

Get to know Smoky Row Brethren Church

We hope that we can answer some of the questions you might have about us here on this page and throughout the site. We’ve tried to be as straightforward as we can about who we are and what we’re about. If you still have questions after reading through, feel free to come visit and ask them in person! (Seriously, though, you can always just Contact Us.)

Sunday Gatherings

Our worship service starts just a little after 10:30, because people always have one more thing to catch up on. It’s good to snag a cup of coffee and a bulletin before coming into the worship area. If they want, parents can grab an activity bag for their older children, and drop their younger ones off at the nursery (3 and under). During the service there’s a reading or two, some songs or hymns are sung. People who feel comfortable enough might share things they’d like the group to pray for, or give an update on some way they’ve seen God come through for them.

A little into the service, parents are invited to take their children back to Children’s Church if they’d like, a time for those from about 4 to 10. The older kids stay in the service, and they may have grabbed an activity bag, too, or may be trying to join with the adults. Someone, usually our Senior Pastor Rich, gives a message that’s either topical or on some part of the Bible that the congregation has been walking through. Everything wraps up officially by 11:40.

For those who are interested, we offer a regular 9:30 Adult Education class that ranges from discussions on books of the Bible, theological topics, or books about the Christian life from perspectives that we might not usually get. It’s a great time.

Location

7260 Smoky Row Rd. Columbus, OH 43235

Common Questions

That depends on how old they are, really. We have a great nursery program, which is (literally and figuratively) growing all the time. Our “Children’s Church” happens during the service, for kids ages 3-8. We invite older kids to stay in the service and get a sense of what it means to be a part of the Body of Christ as we come together for worship. Our Life Groups welcome children, and our VBS has been really fun. As soon as we get the logistics pinned down, we’re rolling out some “tween” programming that should be great, too.

Whatever you’re comfortable in. If you come prepared to go swimming, you might get some looks, but people would still say hello. (They might be wearing flip-flops, too, actually.) We’re not that formal, and think clothes don’t prove anyone’s character.

“Brethren” is an old way of saying “brothers and sisters,” and The Brethren Church, headquartered in Ashland, Ohio, is the denomination that we’re a part of. Some of the things that are more “brethren” about us might be the way we emphasize how everyone has an equally important part to play in the Church, how following Jesus in our daily lives matters, and the importance of recognizing that we are, in fact, brothers and sisters in Christ and ought to love each other like it. You can read about this more in our Core Values.

What to Expect

Expect to be greeted warmly, but given space to experience your time with us. Expect to see people talking with each other, and glad to catch up. Expect to discover a congregation where everyone matters, and the pastor isn’t the final authority or the most important person in the room. Expect to hear a kid or two laugh during the morning, and see people of all ages connecting. Expect to not be catered to: the services that we put together take into account a range of preferences, styles, and the gifts we have as a congregation. We just sort of believe that the Church is at its best when it considers everybody.

Expect to be blessed, though, no matter what.

Get Connected

You can contact us if you have any questions that we haven’t answered well enough or forgotten to address.

If you want to get involved in the life of our congregation more deeply, check out one of the main ways we try to help make that happen by reading about our Life Groups.